Privacy Policy & SMS Terms of Service

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This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) describes how the School of Skilled Trades (“the School”) treats the Personal Information we collect. Personal Information may be collected on our websites, via software applications, mobile applications, and information collected when accessing our Wi-Fi services (collectively, the “Sites”) or via on-site photography. This Policy applies to website visitors, current and potential students, alumni, candidates, employees, and any other user of services offered through our Sites, including any websites, software applications, or mobile applications operated by or on our behalf and to those included in any photography related to the School. This Policy applies to both online and offline collection, storage, processing, and transfer of Personal Information, including name, image and likeness (“NIL”).

When this Policy mentions “the School,” “we,” “our,” or “us,” it refers to the institution responsible for your information under this Privacy Policy.

Certain affiliated sites, mobile applications, services, or partners may be subject to additional privacy policies or privacy disclosures relating to the relevant services provided. In the event of any direct conflict between any additional policies and this Policy, the additional privacy policies related to each site will control.

The School may amend or otherwise modify this Privacy Policy at any time, so please revisit this page periodically to check for updates. The date of the last revision is shown at the top of this document.


PLEASE READ THIS PRIVACY POLICY CAREFULLY TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE HANDLE YOUR INFORMATION AND NIL. BY INTERACTING WITH THE SCHOOL, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THIS PRIVACY POLICY AND THAT WE WILL COLLECT, USE AND SHARE YOUR INFORMATION AND NIL AS SET FORTH BELOW.


1. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT AND PURPOSES

Categories of Information

We collect the following categories of Personal Information depending on your interaction with the School:

  • Contact Information (e.g., name, address, phone number, email)
  • Academic Records (e.g., transcripts, enrollment history)
  • Financial Information (e.g., billing details, financial aid applications)
  • Demographic Information (e.g., age, gender, ethnicity)
  • Criminal Records Information (e.g., criminal records required for insurance, apprenticeships and employment placements)
  • Web-Based Data (e.g., IP address, browser details, cookies, and site activity)

Legal Basis for Collection

We collect your information for the following purposes:

  • To comply with legal obligations, including educational laws like FERPA and other state laws.
  • To fulfill contractual obligations, such as enrollment, apprenticeship or employment agreements.
  • To provide services and support, including academic programs, career services, and financial aid.
  • To provide information you’ve requested (e.g., promotions, alerts, updates).
  • To protect legitimate interests, such as improving operations and ensuring security.
  • Your NIL may be used for marketing purposes to inform potential students, alumni and others about the School’s offerings.

2. RIGHTS UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

As a student, you have rights under FERPA, including:

  • Access to your educational records.
  • The ability to request corrections to inaccurate or misleading information.
  • Control over the disclosure of personal information, except where disclosure is permitted
  • by law (e.g., to accrediting agencies, financial aid providers, or emergency contacts).

Data Privacy and Security

North Carolina law requires notification in the event of a data breach affecting your personal information. If such an event occurs, we will notify affected parties in accordance with state and federal regulations.


3. CONSENT AND CHOICE

We collect NIL information for security, identity verification, compliance with licensing requirements and for marketing. By permitting the collection of NIL, you consent to its use for these purposes. You may revoke your consent at any time by contacting us in writing, subject to exemptions under applicable law.

Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies to improve your online experience. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.


4. INFORMATION SHARING

We may share your information as follows:

  • Service Providers: With vendors who assist in operations such as hosting, payment processing, or research.
  • Partners: With clinical sites, employers, or educational partners for placement or collaboration.
  • Government Authorities: To comply with reporting obligations or legal requirements.
  • Social Media: If you interact with our content on social platforms, your data and NIL may be shared as governed by those platforms and our marketing practices. Mobile numbers will not be shared or sold

5. DATA RETENTION

We retain Personal Information only as long as necessary to fulfill its intended purpose, or as required by law. Retention periods may vary based on the type of data:

  • Financial records: Retained for a minimum of 7 years for compliance with IRS and GLBA.
  • Educational records: Retained as required under FERPA.
  • NIL data: Retained only as necessary for the stated purpose although it may persist on social media for longer.

You may request deletion of your data, but certain exemptions may apply (e.g., where retention is required for compliance or legal reasons or deletion is too time consuming or difficult).


6. SECURITY

We use industry-standard measures to secure your Personal Information. However, no system is completely secure, and you provide information at your own risk. If you suspect a data breach, please notify us immediately.


7. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS

If you participate in international programs, your Personal Information may be shared with partners abroad. We will take steps to ensure reasonable safeguards for your data, though international privacy laws may differ from those in the U.S.


8. SMS TERMS & CONDITIONS

By opting into SMS from a web form or other medium, you are agreeing to receive SMS messages from School of Skilled Trades. This includes SMS messages for customer care, marketing, higher education. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out any time by texting STOP. For assistance, text HELP or visit our website at schoolofskilledtrades.org. We do not share or sell SMS opt-in or phone numbers for the purpose of SMS.

9. CONTACT US

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, contact us at:
Email: kcalhoun@schoolofskilledtrades.org
Address: The School of Skilled Trades, ATTN: Campus President, 2800 Meridian Parkway, Unit 125, Durham, North Carolina, 27713.
Phone: 919.892.8989

Legal Notice:

The following provides information regarding permission to use specific copyrighted materials such as images, software, and text which are owned or licensed by the School of Skilled Trades (“the School”).

Permission to use Documents (such as program or course materials or outlines, press releases, and FAQs) from this server (“Server”) is granted, provided that (1) the below copyright notice appears in all copies and that both the copyright notice and this permission notice appear, (2) use of such Documents from this Server is for informational and non-commercial or personal use only and will not be copied or posted on any network computer or broadcast in any media, and (3) no modifications of any Documents are made. Use for any other purpose is expressly prohibited by law, and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible.

Elements of the School’s websites are protected by trade dress, trademark, unfair competition, and other laws and may not be copied or imitated in whole or in part. No logo, graphic, sound or image from any School website may be copied or retransmitted unless expressly permitted by the School’s Campus President.

Links to Third Party Sites

The School is not responsible for the contents of any linked site or any link contained in a linked site, or any changes or updates to such sites. The School is not responsible for webcasting or any other form of transmission received from any linked site. The School is providing these links to you only as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply endorsement by the School.

Legal Disclaimers

The information on this server is provided is “as is” with all faults and without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied, including those of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or arising from a course of dealing, usage or trade practice. The School makes no warranties or representations regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information. In no event shall the School be liable for any incidental or consequential damages, lost profits, or lost data, or any indirect damages even if the School has been informed of the possibility thereof.

THE SCHOOL OF SKILLED TRADES AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS PUBLISHED ON THIS SERVER FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. THE SCHOOL AND ITS SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE SCHOOL AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THIS SERVER.

THE DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS PUBLISHED ON THIS SERVER MAY INCLUDE TECHNICAL INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CHANGES ARE PERIODICALLY MADE TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN. AMERICAN CAREER COLLEGE AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND CHANGES IN THE PROGRAM(S) OR COURSE(S) DESCRIBED HEREIN AT ANY TIME. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE SCHOOL OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTIOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF SOFTWARE, DOCUMENTS, PROVISION OF OR FAILURE TO PROVIDE SERVICES, OR INFORMATION AVAILABLE FROM THIS.

SMS Terms of Service

1. Overview

School of Skilled Trades (“we,” “us,” or “our”) offers a text messaging (SMS) program to individuals who have provided their mobile phone number and affirmatively consented to receive messages from us (the “Program”). The Program is used to invite prospective students to schedule an enrollment appointment, send appointment scheduling links, confirm and follow up on appointments, and share program information with leads who are not yet ready to schedule a visit. By enrolling in the Program, you agree to these SMS Terms of Service (“Terms”).

2. Enrollment / Opt-In

You may enroll in the Program by submitting your mobile phone number and affirmatively selecting the SMS consent option on our website inquiry form, or by submitting your phone number through one of our social media lead ad forms (for example, Facebook or Instagram) and agreeing to the accompanying consent disclosure shown at the time. By enrolling, you consent to receive text messages from School of Skilled Trades related to your inquiry, including appointment invitations, scheduling links, confirmations, follow-up messages, and program information. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of enrollment in any program or purchase of any service.

3. Message Frequency

Message frequency varies depending on your interactions with us – for example, whether you have an upcoming appointment or have requested more information.

4. Message and Data Rates

Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan. School of Skilled Trades is not responsible for any charges billed to you by your wireless carrier.

5. Opt-Out

You may cancel the Program at any time. Simply reply STOP to any text message you receive from us. After you reply STOP, we will send a one-time confirmation text, and you will no longer receive messages from us. If you would like to rejoin, sign up as you did the first time, and we will begin sending messages to you again.

6. Help

If you need help or have questions, reply HELP to any message, call us at 919-892-8989], or email [Insert support email address].

7. Supported Carriers

Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. Participating carriers include the major U.S. wireless carriers. Carrier coverage and availability are not guaranteed.

8. Privacy

We respect your privacy. Mobile phone numbers and opt-in consent collected through the Program will not be shared or sold to third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotional purposes. Please review our Privacy Policy at schoolofskilledtrades.org/privacy-policy for details on how we collect, use, and protect your information.

9. Changes to This Program

We reserve the right to modify or discontinue the Program, or update these Terms, at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Continued participation in the Program after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of those changes.

10. Contact Us

For questions, concerns, or to exercise your rights, contact us at:
Email: kcalhoun@schoolofskilledtrades.org
Address: The School of Skilled Trades, ATTN: Campus President, 2800 Meridian Parkway, Unit 125, Durham, North Carolina, 27713.
Phone: 919.892.8989

Start Your Career Today

By submitting this form, I consent to be contacted by the School of Skilled Trades representatives and agents via email, text/SMS messages, and/or phone calls (including through automated systems or pre-recorded messages) at any phone numbers I have provided. This contact may include marketing messages and other school-related communications. I understand that I may revoke my consent at any time. Messaging frequency may vary. For SMS messaging, standard text message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by texting STOP. For assistance, text HELP or visit our website at schoolofskilledtrades.org. We do not share or sell SMS opt-in, or phone numbers for the purpose of SMS. Visit the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service for more information. I affirm that I have read and agree to the School’s Privacy Policy. I understand that providing this consent is not required to request information or enroll at the School of Skilled Trades, and I can request information by calling 919.892.8989 instead.