While economic forecasts predict another challenging year, there are positive signs. Jobs for brickmasons, blockmasons, and stonemasons are expected to increase 10 percent over the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations. As the economy improves brick will remain very popular for new houses, industrial facilities, schools, hospitals, offices, and other structures. It reflects a growing preference for durable exterior materials requiring little maintenance.