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the Middle East, and Africa. They ranked fourth in the Asia-Pacific region. Stone- masons are in especially strong demand in Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, and Australia, according to the recruitment firm Michael Page. Employment for masonry workers in the United States is expected to grow faster than the average for all careers during the next decade. Provides a comfortable life without a bachelor’s or graduate degree. For decades in the United States and other countries, there has been an emphasis on earning a college degree as the key to life success. But studies show that only 35 percent of future jobs in the United States will require a four-year degree or higher. With college tuition continuing to increase and the chances of landing a good job out of college decreasing, a growing number of people are entering apprenticeship programs to prepare for careers in the trades. And unlike college students, appren- tices receive a salary while learning and they don’t have to pay off loans after they complete their education. It’s a good feeling to start your career without $50,000 to $200,000 in college loans. Rewarding work environment and many career options. A career in the trades is fulfilling because you get to use both your hands and your head to solve problems and make the world a better place. Masonry workers work at homes, commercial building construction sites, in historical restoration, or in other places where stonework needs to be built or repaired. Many trades workers launch their own busi- nesses. Jobs can’t be offshored. Trades careers involve hands-on work that requires the worker to be on-site to do his or her job. As a result, there is no chance that your position will be offshored to a foreign country. In an uncertain employment atmo- sphere, that’s encouraging news.

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