Crossword Genius

The States have the key to employment (3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

use

'to employment' is the definition.
(how something is used)

'the states have the key' is the wordplay.
'the states' becomes 'US' (abbreviation for the United States).
'have' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the key' becomes 'e' (a musical key).
'us'+'e'='USE'

(Other definitions for use that I've seen before include "Employ (something)" , "Operate" , "Expend in amusement" , "Consumption" , "Application" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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