Yes, they do want critical thinkers and problem solvers in industry workforce.  An article written in Reliable Plant magazine illustrates this point.  The article titled Report finds new hires poorly prepared for workforce states industry wants more critical thinkers among other things.

Applied skills, such as critical thinking and problem solving, enable new entrants to use the basic knowledge acquired in school to perform successfully in the workplace. Yet, more than 40 percent of employers indicating a “high need” for programs in critical thinking are not offering them.

 The report The Ill-prepared US Workforce talks about a 91% high need for critical thinkers/problem solvers in industry.  It is important for everyone in society to hone their critical thinking skills.