Crossword Genius

Staff accepting very skilled worker (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mason

'skilled worker' is the definition.
(mason is a kind of skilled worker)

'staff accepting very' is the wordplay.
'staff' becomes 'man' (as in staffing or manning a particular place).
'accepting' indicates putting letters inside (inserted letters are accepted).
'very' becomes 'so' (both can mean 'extremely').
'man' placed around 'so' is 'MASON'.

(Other definitions for mason that I've seen before include "Craftsman working in stone" , "Stone carver" , "Stone-worker" , "Construction industry employee" , "one called Perry?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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