I've been offered an Apprenticeship but didn't tell them I have a degree! Will they found out?!

[ApprenticeMess]

I applied for an apprenticeship job. I went to the interview and they asked me if I had a degree/ what my highest qualification was . I lied and said I didn't have a degree. I don't know why I said no. I usually always leave it out of application forms and never mention it. I am so ashamed of it.

Now I'm worried that my new employer will find out that I do.have a degree and it will affect the funding of the apprenticeship.

Does anyone know anything about how these things work. Will they find out somehow when they do "checks" or something?

I really regret not saying and if I now tell them I do have a degree they will think I'm bloody weird and a liar!

Well I'm going to just keep quiet about it. I don't think I will be on any database or whatever as the degree was done 15 years ago.

As far as Im aware you are ineligible for funding at Apprenticeship Level if you are qualified to a higher level.With your degree you would be able to get a better job

Not true and no such thing as 'apprenticeship level' given you can do apprenticeships at every level up to and including postgrad, and soon phd. If you don't know please don't just guess. You're giving someone advice that may impact their life.

It's almost always better to come clean about these things, OP. It's very rare that being honest is the wrong choice.

if you have received funding that you are not entitled to by omitting to disclose your degree then that is an offence.
She hasn't, and won't. Apprentices are not eligible for fee or maintenance loans. The employer is entitled to use their levy funds to pay the training provider as OP's degree is unrelated.

As your degree was 15 years ago, you must be at least 35 now, so you won't be on the learner records service at all.

Good luck!

When I've looked at apprenticeships with our local authority, it says you get paid more if you have a degree.

So if you don't put it on your CV what do you tell prospective employers you were doing during those missing years?
I think it's wrong to lie about it but that's up to you.

I'd tell the truth, database or no database. I'd always have that niggle at the back of my mind that someone may find out and I'd be in trouble. Wouldn't it be worth confessing now rather than have it hanging over you for the duration of your apprenticeship?

I think it's shows a massive lack of integrity to outright lie in an interview. Such a strange reaction to a factual/straightforward question...

Personally, I'd come clean about the degree. I've just had an apprentice have a misunderstanding over their apprenticeship and a new job, which has caused hassle - but their new employer doesn't really trust them any more, although they did honour the contract.

Well I'm going to just keep quiet about it. I don't think I will be on any database or whatever as the degree was done 15 years ago.
Of course stuff integrity and the value of trust in the workplace.
Loads of people have suggested that places (unsurprisingly) value honesty in the workplace but ah if there's no database then who cares. Lie away when you're asked a simple question where the honest response would be inconsequential.

There's an obvious way to get out the hole and that's by calling them and being honest, cage it as "when you asked about a degree, can I just confirm you were wanting to know if it was a RELEVANT degree or any degree?" Then use the moment to clarify.

Or just don'tbbecause there's no database.

I'd keep mum

God Lola you’re such a suck up 🤣

Not really pass.
I've just got a certain amount of self preservation and wouldnt like to go to work having to be mindful of what I talk about in case I get caught out for a fairly stupid lie when asked directly about something.

Say the apprenticeship goes well and you've got a job offer at the end, but then the ball is dropped and people realise that I'd be someone who would outright lie when asked about something, that's not exactly going to show the company I'm trustworthy. It's not about the specific lie about a degree, i would be me caring about my reputation at work and I wouldn't want anyone thinking "well, Lola lied about X when directly asked so can you take anything she says at face value"

Having the courage to fess up is absolutely a good sign of how you as a potential employee might react in future. The original lie was a mistake, we all make mistakes.

What you do next matters perhaps even more, fessing up gives you back control and prevents any further ramifications of that original, understandable mistake. This is how you would want someone to react.

Being caught out in a lie only because it has snowballed into something else is not what you want to happen either as an employer or as an employee.

Your choice.

Honestly as an employer I would think you were a bit daft and scatty to suddenly fess up and if you thought like Lola I’d advise you to get a bit of a tougher exterior.

When it comes down to it most companies couldn’t care less about you, it’s not always a good idea to blindly follow some what if x happens code of conduct but to try and play the game a little more.

I would also keep schtum. Enjoy your new job and good luck!

Honestly as an employer I would think you were a bit daft and scatty to suddenly fess up and if you thought like Lola I’d advise you to get a bit of a tougher exterior.

I'd already suggested there was an easy way to clarify.
It's a bit odd that you seem to think it's weak to not lie when asked directly about qualifications and want to behave in a way that is trustworthy at work.

Most people I know, in and out of work, would have reservations about someone trust and honesty if they'd previously shown they wouldn't tell the truth on simple direct questions.

It's not about needing a tougher exterior; it's choosing not to lie when asked a direct questions over something simple.

But it’s done now. Clarifying will make OP look daft

Just keep quiet about it, op.. They honestly will not give a shit.