Apprentices the boss sent out (8)
I believe the answer is:
students
'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" .)