Crossword Genius

Student left to join salaried worker (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

learner

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

'student' is the definition.
(someone who is learning)

'left to join salaried worker' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
'left' could be 'l' (common abbreviation) and 'l' is located in the answer.
'worker' could be 'earner' (earner is a kind of worker) and 'earner' is found within the answer.
No letters remain.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for learner that I've seen before include "One ascertaining" , "Amateur" , "Pupil, novice" , "10 [STUDENT], possibly 11 [BOOKISH]" , "Scholar - novice" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app