I really don't think we should. This question is a response, I think, to a growing desire for companies to have a say in education, when it is not their place to do so.
Unfortunately, companies already influence education, e.g., testing, curriculum (CC), textbooks, other materials, technology and funding awards. Here is a site linking teachers and industry, although not particularly geared to pre-service teachers. http://www.tucsonvaluesteachers.org/view.php?pg=13
I believe 21st century learning standards and initiatives to direct 21st century curricula target workforce (company) needs. The idea behind 21st century learning was initiated through a coalition of leading companies that identified specific skills they identified with effective, engaged employees. This translated to curriculum changes and inclusion of instructional methods that promoted these specific skills in students so that they could feed into the global economy. UNESCO recognizes the impact an educational institution's ICT curriculum can have on a country's economy. The also recognized the need to re-vamp these programs to better serve the developing world (UNESCO ICT attachment).
P21 is an organization focused on making curriculum and policy changes to ensure students are equipped with these 21st century learning skills. A lot of their work focuses on training and development of educational frameworks (that include teacher education).
Industrial quality initiatives (Business Process Reengineering, LEAN Manufacturing, Business SMART Operations) have influenced education in a major way. These initiatives all support standardization of work. I believe they served as drivers for standardized curriculum and standardized testing within our schools. I also find it interesting that some teachers leave the classroom for more structured adult learning roles in corporate training. Good luck with your research. Bob Corrigan