More than 80 enterprises offering over 1,000 vacancies took part in a jobs fair for graduating students from five universities in the Lingang area, the first of its kind organized after it was announced as an expanded area of the pilot free trade zone.

The prospective employers were from sectors including finance, shipping, logistics, law, technology, chemical engineering, electricity and ship management.

Youcan Robot, which produces underwater tracking robots, had one of the most popular booths with students lining up soon after the fair opened at Shanghai Ocean University.

“After Lingang was added to the FTZ, we also see greater development potential as most of our products are sold overseas and now we need more talent,” said Li Zhiqing, the company’s CEO.

Li said that it was difficult to recruit graduates from downtown to its company in Lingang due to its suburban location, but those from universities in the area showed more willingness to stay.

Yan Ping, director of the employment service center at Shanghai Ocean University, said more of its graduates are now willing to work in Lingang, especially after it was added to the pilot free trade zone.

“After the announcement, many students are eager to know the favorable policies for graduates who choose to work in the area,” said Yan. “We recently invited officials to explain the policies, such as subsidies for renting house and internships, and all the seats of the auditorium were occupied.”

A staff member from the Lingang talent service center said students taking internships locallycan apply for a monthly 2,000 yuan subsidy for up to six months.There were also affordable apartments for talent and rental subsidies available of between 400 yuan and 1,000 yuan a month.