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Apprentices the boss sent out (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

students

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'apprentices' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'boss sent out' is the wordplay.
'boss' becomes 'stud' (both can mean a metal decoration).
'out' is an anagram indicator (out can mean wrong or inaccurate).
'sent' is an anagram of 'ents'.
'stud'+'ents'='STUDENTS'

'the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for students that I've seen before include "Pupils or apprentices" , "Learners as at school" , "Trainee medics possibly" , "School or university attendees" , "Learners or scholars" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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