A large spring job fair is held on March 2 in Beilun district, Ningbo, East China's Zhejiang province, offering more than 7,000 jobs. [Photo/IC] 

Ningbo is set to boost its local employment by introducing 160,000 urban jobs this year, and aims to keep the registered urban unemployment rate at below 3.5 percent, according to a meeting held by the Ningbo Municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau on March 4. 

The city will first offer support to companies by reducing the contributions employers have to pay for employees' unemployment insurance and grant subsidies to companies facing short-term financial difficulties but looking to maintain employment stability. 

It will also strengthen support for companies to conduct professional training for employees to enhance their skills.

Improving the employment and entrepreneurship climate for college students has been put on the agenda, as the city plans to attract more than 50,000 college graduates this year. 

The human resources and social security bureau will guide 1,000 outstanding local companies to conduct matchmaking activities with 100 schools of higher learning in and around the city, to offer internships and attract qualified students to settle there. 

In addition, the city will continue to promote high-quality employment and innovation by building 50 communities with high-quality employment opportunities and increasing the number of innovative companies by 60,000.