Job Corps, with centers in Hawai'i and across the nation, celebrated its 45th year yesterday touting a record that included training more than 3 million economically disadvantaged youths.

At the Waimanalo center, speakers, tours and refreshments prepared by its culinary students were featured.

As part of the celebration more than 100 Job Corps students will travel to Capitol Hill to participate in an informational exhibit, intern one day with a congressman or labor official, compete in the first National Job Corps Oratory contest and join celebrity chef Robert Irvine.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Labor, this voluntary, residential training program offers vocational, academic and social skills training to students 16 to 24 years old at 123 centers nationwide, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each year 60,000 young people benefit from the program.