Another Ripon High student completed the Apprenticeship Reaching Career Horizons program.

Aaron ‘Luke’ Ruba was among the initial group in the area to not only take part in the ARCH program – described by the San Joaquin County Office of Education as “a one-of-its-kind apprenticeship program for high school students” in the state – but in the process earned college credits while receiving on-the-job training in paid positions while still enrolled in high school.

“This is a large accomplishment,” said Ripon Unified Superintendent Ziggy Robeson at Monday’s school board meeting.

Ruba will continue to work in the I.T. Department.

The ARCH program is open to juniors and seniors ages 16 and older attending one of the participating high schools.

They’re recruited by their Career Technical Education teachers or counselors – these apprentices work part-time with their employers while enrolled in community college courses aligned with the pursued occupation.

Those participating school districts in San Joaquin County received grant money to help offset costs of coordinating the student apprenticeships in exchange for agreeing to hire them within their school district or some private employment, SJCOE noted.

Ruba joined Carter Lacey of RHS as that group of first six ARCH students who completed the program.