Crossword Genius

OK ... oddjobber taking year to become reliable type (5-4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

right-hand man

'reliable type' is the definition.

'ok oddjobber taking year' is the wordplay.
'ok' becomes 'right' (I've seen this in other clues).
'oddjobber' becomes 'handy man'.
'taking' is a deletion indicator.
'year' becomes 'y'.
'handyman' with 'y' taken away is 'handman'.
'right'+'handman'='RIGHT-HAND MAN'

'to become' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for right-hand man that I've seen before include "Most trusted assistant" , "Indispensable personal aide" , "One's most valuable assistant" , "Reliable assistant" , "Indispensable assistant" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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