Intec Business Colleges and Booths Supermarkets: A Warm and Welcoming Partnership

Booths Supermarkets, a family-run grocer founded in 1847, is renowned for its commitment to high-quality produce, exceptional customer service, and strong community values. At the heart of Booths is its people-focused ethos, where staff members are valued as much as the customers they serve. Known for their 'Great Northern Welcome', Booths employees take pride in offering friendly, knowledgable service that makes shopping feel personal and enjoyable.

Intec Business Colleges and Booths Supermarkets share a strong and welcoming partnership, built on a mutual commitment to excellence in training and professional development. As a trusted provider of apprenticeships, Intec works closely with Booths to deliver tailored training programmes that support employees in developing valuable skills, enhancing careers, and contributing to the continued success of the business. this collabroation embodies the values of quality, people-focuse service, and community spirit that both oragnisations hold dear.

The relationship between Inec and Booths is characterised by a hand-on, supportive approach to learning, ensuring that apprentices receive the knowledge, training, and confidence they need to thrive. Through structured learning pathways and real-world experience, employees at Booths gain recognised qualifications while working in a friendly and customer-oriented environment. The partnership enables employees to build a long-term and rewarding career, and Booths benefits from using past apprentices to effectively mentor and nurture new programme entrants.

The Booths and Intec partnership has produced many success stories. One such example is Francesca (Frankie) Lord, who progressed into a Team Leading role at Booths and enrolled on the Future Management Apprenticeship Programme with Intec, achieving a Distinction in her Team Leader Apprenticeship. The skills Frankie developed helped her manage the complexities of overseeing two teams during the Hesketh Bank refurbishment while supporting the Fulwood team through a period of transition.

"Challenges have taught me the importance of staying positive, working collaboratively, and never hesitating to ask for help. These experiences have shaped me into the leader I am today," Frankie reflects.

Frankie's contributions extend far beyond her own achievements. Her unwavering enthusiasm and dedication have made her an inspiration within Booths and an ambassador for apprenticeships. Her work to develop a new Store Standards Audit demonstrates her ability to innovate and leave a lasting impact on the organisation. In June 2024, Frankie commenced the Operations Manager Level 5 programme to support her continued progression within the Booths management structure.

Julia Gorecka was already a Team Leader when she enrolled on the apprenticeship in 2020 and took the opportunity to develop her management skillset. The programme supported the significant career opportunity to develop her management skillset. The programme supported the significant career progression she was about to undertake. By June 2021, Julia has taken on a new role at Penwortham, enabling her to apply her training in real-time. Nine months later, she became Specialist Manager at Chorley, took part in the Clitheroe store refit, and helped launch the presitgious 1847 new-format cafe. In November 2023, she returned to Chorley as Store Manager - the first graduate from Booths' Apprentice cohort to achieve this. In January 2025, following a successful Christmas period, Julia accepted her second Store Manager role at Longridge.

Julia also plays a vital role in supporting and inspiring future leaders. She regularly mentors new cohorts, providing a heartfelt introduction to the programme and sharing practical, experience-based advice. She has mentored Assistant Manager Rebecca Burrows, who achieved the fastest-ever qualification completion, passing with a Distinction.

One piece of advice Julia always gives to new apprentices:
"You can learn a lot from a bad manager - sometime even more than a good one. I had to constantly ask for development opportunities, and I'm still asking today. Never stop pushing for your growth and never stop communicating, because you can't over communicate."

Robert Lipczynski has seen his career go from strength to strength since completing the Future Management Programme. He explains:
"I Joined Booths in December 2013, following Booths' acquisition of Sharrocks Fresh Produce Ltd. I transitioned from a Catering Manager role at Sharrocks to a Transport Supervisor Postion at Booths After five years in the role, I was promoted to Transport Planner Coordinator in 2019, and in May 2020, I successfully completed the Intec Team Leader Level 3 apprenticeship. This provided me with valuable theoretical knowledge and leadership skills, laying the foundation for a future management role within Booths."

That opportunity came sooner than expected for Rob, who was promoted to Transport Manager in July 2022. Rob also told us:
"I greatly valued my time on the Intec course, espcially the chance to connect with stakeholders from across the business who shared a growth mindset and ambition. The course helped me become more structured in my work, improved my project management skills, and developed my emotional intelligence, assertiveness, and empathy - qualities that have significantly contributed to my personal and professional development.
John Felton, who guided me through the course with his extensive knowledge and experience, shared a phrase that resonated deeply with me and has become my personal motto - a powerful and self-reinforcing cycle:
confidence drives success, success drives confidence."

The success of the Intec and Booths partnership is built on the strong relationship between Intec's Tutor, John felton, and Booths' Learning & Development Specialist, Rachel Potts. Rachel exemplifies the kind of support an employe can provide to elevate a programme from good to great. This was acknowledged when Rachel was awarded Intec's Mentor of the Year Award. John Felton commented:
"Rachel has created an understanding an appreciation of mentorship throughout her business. She has personally mentored over 20 learners and arranged for a cohort of 18 learners to have a mentor within the business."

This approach to mentorship benefits not only the apprentices but also those looking to develop mentoring skills, providing professional development for the mentors themselves John continues:
"She also supported these mentors with an information sessions on the meaning of mentorship to help with their understanding."

The career achievements and progression of Booths apprentices underline the results that can be achieved when a powerful learning and development partnership is forged. The impact these apprentices have on Booths is one of the reasons the company continues to maintain its reputation for high quality and exceptional customer service.