Our store policies.

PLC Masters is an independent training provider and automation company. We are not a Siemens-accredited, certified, authorised or official training partner of Siemens AG, and we do not claim any such accreditation, endorsement, affiliation or sponsorship.

We are simply a company that works with genuine Siemens products and has done so for many years. Our trainers use real Siemens hardware and software so that learners gain practical, industry-relevant experience.

"Siemens", "SIMATIC", "STEP 7", "TIA Portal", "WinCC", "PCS 7", "SIMOCODE", "PROFIBUS", "PROFINET" and all related names, logos and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of Siemens AG or their respective owners. Any reference to these names on our website or in our materials is for description and identification only, and does not imply any partnership with, or approval by, Siemens AG.

Certificates issued by PLC Masters are Certificates of Completion / Attendance for our own courses. They are not a Siemens qualification and are not a formal or nationally accredited qualification unless explicitly stated in writing.

PLC Masters ("we", "us", "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information in line with South Africa's Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA). This policy explains what we collect, why, and your rights.

Information we collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect:

• Contact & enrolment details - your name, surname, email address and phone number.
• Identification - your ID or passport number, collected only so we can issue accurate certificates.
• Enquiry & lead details - information you submit through our contact, corporate, enquiry and "free guide" forms (including company name and industry where provided).
• Order & account details - courses purchased, payment references and the password you set for your account.
• Reviews - any rating and review text you choose to submit.
• Technical data - basic information your browser sends automatically (e.g. IP address) and cookies needed to keep you logged in.

We do not store your full card details. Card payments are processed securely by our payment provider, Yoco (see Payments & security).

Why we collect it (purpose)

• To register you for a course and manage your booking and account.
• To issue certificates and keep training records.
• To process payments and provide proof of purchase.
• To respond to enquiries and send information you have requested (such as intake dates or the free guide).
• To improve our courses and, where you have consented, to send occasional updates. You can opt out at any time.
• To meet legal, tax and accounting obligations.

Your consent

By submitting a form or completing a purchase on our website, you consent to us collecting and processing your personal information for the purposes described above. You may withdraw your consent for marketing at any time without affecting services you have already paid for.

How we store and protect it

Your information is stored securely and access is limited to authorised personnel who need it to do their work. Passwords are stored encrypted (hashed), and our site uses secure connections for sensitive actions. While no system is completely secure, we take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your information against loss, misuse and unauthorised access.

Sharing your information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We only share it with trusted service providers who help us operate - for example our payment provider (Yoco) and email/hosting services - and only to the extent needed to deliver the service. We may also disclose information if required by law.

How long we keep it

We keep your information only as long as necessary for the purposes above or as required by law (for example, financial records must be kept for the period required by tax legislation). When it is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymise it.

Your rights

Under POPIA you have the right to:

• Ask what personal information we hold about you and request a copy.
• Ask us to correct or update information that is inaccurate.
• Ask us to delete information we no longer have a lawful reason to keep.
• Object to processing or withdraw consent for marketing.
• Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator of South Africa.

To exercise any of these rights, email us at info@plcmasters.co.za. You can also contact the Information Regulator at inforegulator.org.za.

These terms apply when you use our website, enrol in a course or buy a product from PLC Masters.

Enrolment & bookings

A booking is confirmed once payment is received. Classroom courses run on scheduled intake dates at our Midrand facility (or at your premises for corporate training) and seats are limited, with two learners per training kit. We will confirm intake dates with you after purchase.

Pricing

All prices are in South African Rand (ZAR) and include applicable taxes unless stated otherwise. We may update prices and course content from time to time; the price you pay is the price shown at checkout.

Course delivery & changes

We may need to reschedule an intake (for example due to low numbers or circumstances beyond our control). If we cancel a scheduled course, you may move to the next intake or receive a refund for that course. We aim to give as much notice as possible.

Certificates

Learners who complete a course receive a Certificate of Completion / Attendance from PLC Masters. As noted in our disclaimer, this is not a Siemens or nationally accredited qualification.

Digital products

Our Digital PLC Training Program and any downloadable materials, software files and resources are licensed to you for your own learning. You may not copy, resell, redistribute or share your access or login with others.

Intellectual property

All course materials, workbooks, videos, simulations and website content are the property of PLC Masters and are protected by copyright. They may not be reproduced or distributed without our written permission.

Acceptable conduct

Learners are expected to follow safety instructions and treat equipment, trainers and other learners with respect. We reserve the right to remove anyone behaving unsafely or disruptively, without refund.

Limitation of liability

We provide training in good faith and to a high practical standard, but to the extent permitted by law we are not liable for any indirect or consequential loss arising from the use of our training, materials or website. Nothing in these terms limits any rights you have under the Consumer Protection Act.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

Classroom courses

• You may reschedule to a later intake at no charge if you notify us at least 7 days before your start date.
• Cancellations made 7 or more days before the start date qualify for a refund, less any unrecoverable costs.
• Cancellations made less than 7 days before the start date, or non-attendance ("no-shows"), are not refundable but may be moved to a later intake once, at our discretion.

Digital course & downloads

Because the Digital PLC Training Program gives immediate access to digital content and downloadable software, it is non-refundable once access has been granted or any files have been downloaded. If you experience a technical problem accessing your course, contact us and we will help resolve it.

How to request a refund

Email info@plcmasters.co.za with your order reference and reason. Approved refunds are paid back to your original payment method, usually within 14 days. These terms do not limit your rights under the Consumer Protection Act.

Card payments are processed securely by Yoco, a registered South African payment provider. Your card details are entered on Yoco's secure, encrypted payment system - PLC Masters never sees or stores your full card number.

We only receive confirmation of payment and a reference for your order. If you have a question about a charge, contact us with your order reference and we will help.

We use a small number of cookies and similar storage to make the website work - for example to keep you signed in to your account and to remember items in your cart. These are necessary for the site to function. We do not use cookies to sell your data. You can clear or block cookies in your browser settings, but some features (like staying logged in) may not work properly if you do.

For any questions about these policies, your information or an order:

• Email: info@plcmasters.co.za
• Phone / WhatsApp: +27 79 133 2269
• Address: Block E West, 400 16th Road, Midrand, South Africa

These policies are provided in good faith for our customers. They are general terms and not legal advice; we recommend having them reviewed by a legal professional for your specific circumstances.